I’ve been talking about doing a promo video forever so it feels great to have this little project wrapped up.  I’m so excited to show you what makes our engagements a little different from most, and yes it really is an experience.  The technical term is a production style shoot,  I just like to call it a whole lot of fun. When everything finally just fell in to place I couldn’t help but jump on board with a wonderful couple and team.  I had to admit I was in a little bit of a daze because I couldn’t believe the project was really on its way.  Now that it is finished I can’t wait to start on the wedding photography promo.

Jeff and Sam’s engagement session was great and when the talents of Stylist, Tia Reagan and videographer Luke Goodman of Luke Goodman films came along beside me it became fabulous! It was really important to me to show you how wacky, yet romantic and beautiful can all be wrapped in to one day.  I really do love doing engagement sessions. They are one of my favorite photo sessions because I get to spend quality time with my bride and groom and spend a beautiful day along the Santa Cruz coast (or wherever the shoot leads us ) doing what I love SHOOTING! Call me selfish but it is fun to have the couple all to myself for a day.

Besides doing a great promo video for me Luke did a wonderful film fusing together the video and stills together. It makes a great save the date video or just a small movie to show guest at the cocktail hour as they wait for you. There is so many possibilities with it and we would love to talk the possibilities over with you.  But for know enjoy your fly on the wall view of how we work and take a peak at how an engagement, creative portrait, or boudoir might go.  We would love to hear what you think.

Jill Johnson Promo Video Final from Luke Goodman on Vimeo.

When talking to Sam about her engagement session she said we wanted a modern day look but her real dream was to feel like she stepped off the set of the movie “The Notebook”. I told her no problem we can do that, I have a secret weapon that can transform you through time and her name is “Tia the Magnificent”! These two were so fun and was game to do anything. They had a great spirit of adventure and we laughed all day as we drove along the Santa Cruz Coast. I don’t know how many times I heard Tia say “Their great kissers!” and we laughed some more. We did do a little trespassing, we learned not to crunch down if a mountain lion appeared, we transported back about 50 years, and I ruined one of my favorite pairs of shoes but it was all worth it. My favorite part was in the middle of all that we did a little mystery shoot for Jeff. The best part is he was in the photos blind folded and has no idea what was happening. The best part is he won’t get to see them til his wedding night. How fun and creative is that girls? It was the best kind of a torture. Will share those images in August when Jeff has had a chance to see them.

With Sadness the doors of Adorn Bridal will be closing soon.  After the first of  April we will no longer be meeting clients at this beautiful location.  But if your looking for fantastic deals there will be some great closing sales.  I will continue to meet with clients and to refer the wonderful people who were part of the vendor team down there.  I’ll just have to keep you updated on our new meeting location.

San Jose, CA Febrruary 09, 2010 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Jill Johnson Photography has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Photography.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Jill Johnson Photography is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Jill Johnson is among the very best Wedding Photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards.

Chau and David have some exciting things going on their lives right now besides getting married.  So when we scheduled their engagement session they were on a limited time frame.  We wanted to achieve two distinctive looks a modern, and a vintage time piece.  I had to admit I was pretty excited when Chau had mentioned that she wanted to do some shots that were inspired from one of her favorite movies “In the Mood for Love”. Tia worked her styling magic and transformed the couple from modern day to 1940′s Shanghai godfather style. With the limited amount of time we pulled a kamikaze kind of shoot in downtown Los Gatos and found a fantastic local business that allowed us to crash for a few shots.  The Fumare Cigar Lounge was fantastic. ( On a side not this would be a great place to have part of your bachelor party).  A special thank you to Fumare Cigar Lounge we owe you one.  The location was perfect.  I love what we achieved from this session.  Thanks Chau and David for the inspiration you look amazing.

To see more of their engagement check out their slideshow by clicking here.

It has been a long time since I’ve gotten busted for shooting somewhere but it made it an interesting end to a really fun afternoon.    It had been years since I had photographed at the fountains  at Caesar Chavez Park in downtown.  Ooops!  You officially need a permit to photograph there.  But that was ok because we had already found some amazing locations in San Jose that we didn’t need a permit and we  created some beautiful images.  Valerie an Brendan were fun and easy going.  They laughed at all my silly jokes (well I hope that is why they were laughing instead of them being polite like on a first date ) and Valerie hiked her way through downtown with her 3 inch heels.  Just look what we got and we did get a couple off in the fountain before we got kicked out.  It was a wet ride home but well worth it.   Enjoy and to see more of their photos click here to see there slideshow.

I adore this couple!  They have such a great look and I love the passion they have for each other.   Tia and I had such an amazing time photographing their engagment session a few weeks back.  I just love the feel and the colors of their entire session.  Irma and Ernie were so fun to work with and photograph.  Seriously doesn’t Ernie have freckles to die for and Irma is just plain beautiful.  I don’t know how many times we laughed as they made their noises and worked on their looks for me. They gave us  their all from hot trucks with no air flow to cold cement downtown.  (I’ll need to post a fantastic shot of Tia later being bat girl she is more then a stylist but don’t blow her supergirl secret.)

We had some really interesting locations for them and they did great being  public spectacles.  One of the locations was so unusual and a little off the wall to get there but they didn’t even question it. (no we didn’t shoot at a jail)  They just went with the flow and recieved amazing photos because of it. There are so many wonderful things about the photos  I don’t even know where to start, so I’ll just leave it up to you.  But first,  the one on the bottom takes my breathe away.  I love the whole Ying Yang feel to it.

Can’t wait to hear what you think and if you looooove them don’t forget to vote for them.

What a fun day we had photographing John and Pilar in downtown Los Gatos.  We found some fabulous places to shoot as we walked the streets of Los Gatos. Tia Reagan of Freebird Productions worked her magic with hair, make-up and wardrobe consulting and you can see the fabulous results.  We had a great time joking and talking with Pilar and John and making them the talk of the town.   At first I think they were a little nervous about the session but  I think I can honestly say that they had a great time.   By the end of the shoot we were all starving and decided to grab a bite.  I love when I have a chance to really hear about the plans that they have for their wedding day.  Its going to be a fantastic event and I’m pretty sure I heard Pilar use the word “Bling” more then once for the decorations.  I’m not sure who is more excited about there day, Them or Tia and I.

I am so pleased to be part of the Una Bella Serra again this year and more excited to invite you.  All past, present, and future couple are invited to participate in a wonderful experience created by Amaze Special Events and Nicole Ha Floral design.  A World of Glamour will definatly knock your socks off as you see what these two talented and  creative professionals can do with their magical skills. This event will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at the infamous and historical Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchant Exchange Building in San Francisco.

You will be inspired as you view the latest trends, tabletops, and floral designs for your wedding or event.  Come out for a night of inspiration, fun, entertainment and food.  We know you won’t be disappointed and I personally would love to see you there.  There is a limited amount of spaces available for this event so please register yourself at www.unabellasera.com.  Also, check out the list of other vendors that will be there under The Great List.

Here are a couple of shots from last years event.

We have been blessed with so many great speakers over the past year or so.  This month Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Guide was our guest speaker.  She was so great to have and had so many wonderful and helpful hints on blogging.  She really knows her stuff.  When I first asked her to speak she was all excited because she thought I was asking her to come and speak about PUG dogs.  You see besides weddings Stacie just loves her dog.  You can check him out on his own site www.cutestdogever.com.

So for those of you who don’t know about The Flirty Guide you need to check it out.  Its a great site for wedding inspiration and remember to keep up with Stacie’s blog.  She always has tons of tidbits to share.  In fact, if your looking for someone to make minature cranes, custom cake toppers, or bridal accessories or where there’s a good place to eat  check out her other blogs and sites.  She is a very busy and talented girl.  It was so much fun having her out.  Here she is below bottom front right corner with the wonderful group of photographers.